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Oral history interview with Jerry C. Harris, 2006 May 17
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- Harris, Jerry C. (Jerry Charles), 1936-2011
- Title
- Oral history interview with Jerry C. Harris
- Dates
- 2006 May 172006-05-172006-05-17
- Quantity
- .1 cubic feet, (1 audiocassette (50 min., 37 sec.) + transcript (30 pages) + 2 photographs (color))
- Collection Number
- SR 11301
- Summary
- Oral history interview with Jerry C. Harris conducted by Mary Ann DeLap on May 17, 2006, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. Harris was a court reporter for the U.S. District Court of Oregon.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Jerry Charles Harris, Sr. was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, in 1936. He relocated to Denver, Colorado, as a young child. He came to Portland, Oregon, to meet Zola M. Barnes at the recommendation of his godmother, and they were married in 1956; they later adopted two children. Harris had been attending Western Business College in Colorado, but after moving to Oregon he attended Court Reporting College in Portland, graduating in 1961. In 1962, he became the only black court reporter for the Multnomah County courts. In 1965, he began working as a court reporter for U.S. District Court Judge Gus Solomon. He later worked for other judges on the U.S. District Court of Oregon, and retired in 1997. He was a member of the Community Church of God (now Maranatha) and served as a Sunday school teacher, usher, elder, and chairman of the church board. Harris died in 2011.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This oral history interview with Jerry C. Harris was conducted by Mary Ann DeLap on May 17, 2006. In this interview, Harris discusses coming to Portland, Oregon, from Colorado to meet his future wife, Zola M. Barnes. He talks about working as a court reporter for the Multnomah County courts and his experience as the only black court reporter for the county. He discusses moving to the federal court system and working for U.S. District Court Judge Gus Solomon. He also talks about working for other judges on the U.S. District Court of Oregon. He discusses the discrimination he's faced, his retirement activities, and some of the lawyers he worked with. He describes the process of court reporting, as well as how technology has changed the profession.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
Audio and transcript available online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with Jerry C. Harris, by Mary Ann DeLap, SR 11301, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright – Educational Use Permitted: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Cassette | ||
| 1 | Oral history interview with Jerry C. Harris | 2006 May 17 |
| Folder | ||
| SR11301 | Transcript of oral history interview with Jerry C. Harris | 2006 May 17 |
| SR11301 | Photographs of Jerry C. Harris | circa 2006 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- African Americans--Oregon--Portland
- Courts--Oregon
- Law reporters--Oregon
Personal Names
- Harris, Jerry C. (Jerry Charles), 1936-2011
- Solomon, Gus J. (Gus Jerome), 1906-1987
Corporate Names
- United States. District Court (Oregon)
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- DeLap, Mary Ann (interviewer)
